Following Prime Minister Mark Carney's recent announcement of increased federal investments in border security, including the hiring of 1,000 new Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers, Niagara College is answering the call with programs designed to train and prepare the next generation of law enforcement professionals.
Through its School of Justice and Fitness, Niagara College offers a suite of programs that provide students with real-world experience and practical skills for careers in policing, border services, and investigations.
"We prepare students to enter the workforce with confidence," said John Bauer, Professor in the School of Justice and Fitness and former CBSA officer. "Our programs provide comprehensive training across all areas of law enforcement. From psychology and criminology to analytical writing, criminal and civil law, and contemporary social issues, we continually adapt our teaching to reflect the evolving landscape of law enforcement."
Niagara College's law enforcement programs combine traditional coursework with hands-on learning and emerging technologies. Professors Bauer and Natalie Mazzarelli, also a former CBSA officer, have developed new coursework that integrates artificial intelligence into report-writing exercises, mirroring how law enforcement professionals are leveraging AI in real-world scenarios.
"Students are tasked with identifying procedural or legal issues in sample reports and then improving them before using AI tools to analyze them," explained Mazzarelli. "It's an exercise in critical thinking and technological literacy, skills that are increasingly important in modern policing."
Students also benefit from Niagara College's strong industry connections. Faculty bring extensive experience from agencies across Canada and maintain partnerships through the Program Advisory Committee (PAC), ensuring that course content remains aligned with current law enforcement practices and standards.
Hands-on training takes place in the College's state-of-the-art Justice Simulation Lab, which features an interactive, floor-to-ceiling screen for realistic police use-of-force scenarios and simulated crime scene labs for investigative training. Students also receive the physical testing expected in policing and border services from certified trainers as part of their hands-on preparation. They participate in mock interviews with police recruiters, ride-alongs with Niagara Regional Police, and virtual reality simulations that test decision-making and communication under pressure.
"Our facilities are so advanced that local law enforcement agencies often use them for their own training," said Bauer. "Our students graduate not only with classroom knowledge but with the interpersonal and physical readiness that law enforcement demands."
Niagara College's Advanced Law Enforcement and Investigations Certificate, designed for students who already hold a diploma or degree in a justice-related field, boasts a near-perfect graduate employment rate. Alumni have gone on to careers as CBSA officers, police officers, private investigators, and insurance fraud investigators.
Beyond technical expertise, the College emphasizes the soft skills essential to modern policing.
"We're seeing a shift toward community-based policing," Bauer noted. "It's not just about enforcing the law, it's about building trust. Our students learn to manage situations with professionalism and respect, which is essential in today's environment."
As law enforcement agencies at all levels of government expand their recruitment efforts, Niagara College continues to play a vital role in preparing skilled, adaptable, and ethical graduates ready to serve their communities.
"There are so many opportunities once you're in," said Mazzarelli. "Within the CBSA alone, there are paths in customs, immigration, investigations, and more. The same is true for the RCMP and other agencies."
With Canada strengthening its border and public safety systems, Niagara College remains committed to producing graduates who serve with competence, integrity, and adaptability and who are ready to meet the challenges of a changing world.
For more information about Niagara College's programs in the School of Justice and Fitness Studies, visit https://www.niagaracollege.ca/justiceandfitness/
For more information
300 Woodlawn Road, P.O.Box 1005
Welland Ontario
Canada L3C 7L3
www.niagaracollege.ca
